Cy Young Award 2025: Predictions & Top Contenders

The Cy Young Award is MLB's top pitching honor. Who will win in 2025? Our analysis blends past performance, current trends, and potential breakout stars to give you our expert predictions.

Predicting the 2025 Cy Young Winners

\nPredicting the Cy Young Award winner is a mix of art and science. You have to consider a pitcher's past performance, their current trajectory, their team context, and even a bit of luck. In our analysis, we emphasize advanced stats and predictive modeling. We also consider the narratives that often sway voters.

Factors Influencing Cy Young Voting

• Wins: While not as important as they once were, wins still matter. Pitchers on winning teams often get more consideration.
• ERA: Earned Run Average remains a key indicator of a pitcher's effectiveness.
• Strikeouts: High strikeout numbers are always impressive to voters.
• WHIP: Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched is a strong measure of a pitcher's ability to limit baserunners.
• Advanced Stats: Stats like FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching), xFIP (Expected Fielding Independent Pitching), and WAR (Wins Above Replacement) are becoming increasingly influential.

Top Contenders for the 2025 Cy Young Award

These are the pitchers who we project to be in the mix for the award in 2025. Our rankings consider both their talent and their likelihood of putting together a Cy Young-caliber season.

American League

• Gerrit Cole (New York Yankees): Cole is consistently among the best pitchers in baseball. If he stays healthy, he'll be a strong contender.
• Framber Valdez (Houston Astros): Valdez has emerged as a dominant force in the Astros' rotation. His combination of a nasty curveball and improved command makes him a serious threat.
• Shane McClanahan (Tampa Bay Rays): McClanahan's electric stuff and fearless approach make him a potential Cy Young winner.
• Kevin Gausman (Toronto Blue Jays): Gausman's resurgence has been remarkable, and his splitter is one of the most unhittable pitches in the game.

National League

• Spencer Strider (Atlanta Braves): Strider's fastball-slider combination is devastating, and he has the potential to be the most dominant pitcher in the NL.
• Zack Wheeler (Philadelphia Phillies): Wheeler has quietly become one of the best pitchers in baseball. His combination of velocity and control is rare.
• Corbin Burnes (Milwaukee Brewers): Burnes has already won a Cy Young, and his stuff is still electric. He'll be in the mix again in 2025.
• Tyler Glasnow (Los Angeles Dodgers): Glasnow's health has always been a question, but when he's on, he's unhittable. If he can stay healthy, he could win the award.

Breakout Candidates

These are the pitchers who might not be on everyone's radar yet, but who have the potential to emerge as Cy Young contenders in 2025. — Project Hail Mary A Comprehensive Exploration Of Plot, Characters, And Themes

American League

• Grayson Rodriguez (Baltimore Orioles): Rodriguez has the potential to be a top-of-the-rotation starter.
• Tarik Skubal (Detroit Tigers): Skubal's stuff is electric, and he's shown flashes of brilliance.

National League

• Hunter Greene (Cincinnati Reds): Greene's fastball is one of the best in baseball, and he's developing his secondary pitches.
• Eury Pérez (Miami Marlins): Pérez is one of the youngest players in baseball, but his stuff is already Major League-caliber.

The Importance of Advanced Stats

Advanced stats are increasingly important in evaluating pitchers. Stats like FIP, xFIP, and WAR provide a more complete picture of a pitcher's performance than traditional stats like ERA and wins. For example, FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) isolates a pitcher's performance by focusing only on the things they can control: strikeouts, walks, hit-by-pitches, and home runs. This helps to remove the influence of the defense behind them. — NFL Streams Reddit: How To Watch NFL Games Online

The Impact of Team Context

A pitcher's team context can also impact their Cy Young chances. Pitchers on winning teams often get more consideration, and a good offense can help a pitcher get more wins. However, voters are becoming more aware of the importance of individual performance, and they are less likely to be swayed by team context than they once were.

How Injuries Can Change the Landscape

Injuries are an unfortunate part of baseball, and they can have a major impact on the Cy Young race. A serious injury to a top contender can open the door for another pitcher to emerge. It's important to monitor the injury reports throughout the season to see how they might affect the race.

The Role of Narrative

Narrative often plays a role in Cy Young voting. A pitcher who overcomes adversity or achieves a personal milestone might get extra consideration from voters. For example, a pitcher who returns from a serious injury and has a great season might be more likely to win the award. — Luna Star OnlyFans: Content, Subscription & Fan Engagement

Expert Opinions on Cy Young Voting

"I think voters are becoming more sophisticated in their analysis of pitchers," says MLB.com analyst Mike Petriello. "They're looking beyond traditional stats like ERA and wins and focusing on advanced stats that provide a more complete picture of a pitcher's performance."

Cy Young Award 2025 Predictions

• American League: Gerrit Cole
• National League: Spencer Strider

These are our early predictions, but the race is sure to change throughout the season. Be sure to check back for updates as the season progresses.

FAQ About the Cy Young Award

What is the Cy Young Award?

The Cy Young Award is given annually to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball, one for the American League and one for the National League.

How is the Cy Young Award voted on?

The Cy Young Award is voted on by members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA). Each voter ranks their top five pitchers in each league, and points are awarded based on the rankings.

When is the Cy Young Award announced?

The Cy Young Award is typically announced in November, after the end of the regular season and playoffs.

Who has won the most Cy Young Awards?

Roger Clemens has won the most Cy Young Awards, with seven. Greg Maddux, Randy Johnson, and Steve Carlton are tied for second, with four each.

Has anyone ever won the Cy Young Award unanimously?

Yes, several pitchers have won the Cy Young Award unanimously, including Clayton Kershaw in 2014 and Justin Verlander in 2011.

What stats are most important for Cy Young voters?

Voters consider a variety of stats, including ERA, strikeouts, WHIP, FIP, xFIP, and WAR. They also consider a pitcher's win-loss record, but this is less important than it once was.

How does team performance affect Cy Young voting?

Pitchers on winning teams often get more consideration, but voters are becoming more aware of the importance of individual performance. A pitcher's team context is less important than it once was.

Conclusion

The Cy Young Award is one of the most prestigious awards in baseball. The race for the award in 2025 is sure to be exciting, with many talented pitchers vying for the honor. While predicting the future is always difficult, our analysis provides a data-driven look at the top contenders and breakout candidates. Stay tuned for updates throughout the season as we track the progress of these pitchers and adjust our predictions accordingly. Be sure to follow baseball all season long!